Senate panel hears bill to update DSEA specialty plate to fund scholarships

Sen. Cruz introduced Senate Bill 318 to discontinue the current DSEA Centennial limited-edition plate and replace it with an updated Delaware State Education Association special license plate that would fund scholarships. "The proceeds will support all 3 of DSEA's scholarship funds," Cruz said, describing two funds for children of educators and one for students who plan to study education in college.

Taylor Hawk of the Delaware State Education Association testified in support, telling the committee that the plate offers educators and supporters "a meaningful way to show pride in their profession" and that proceeds "go directly back to students and families through scholarships." Hawk said DSEA represents more than 14,000 active and retired teachers, specialists and education support professionals.

Chair Sen. Stephanie Hanson said the sponsor would circulate the bill for signatures and that she expected it likely would make it out of committee. No opponents appeared during the committee's public-comment period.

The proposal would grandfather existing plates introduced in 2019 while discontinuing their sale and creating a process to work with visual-arts educators on new plate designs if the bill advances. The committee took no formal recorded vote on SB318 during the session; the sponsor said he would seek cosponsors and circulate the measure for signatures.